Turkey carcass soup is a comforting, hearty dish that makes the most of every part of the turkey, turning leftovers into a rich, flavorful broth. After a big holiday meal, the turkey carcass often gets overlooked, but with a little time and effort, it transforms into a nourishing soup that’s perfect for cozy evenings or a family meal. This soup is a wonderful way to use up leftovers while creating something warm, satisfying, and full of depth.
The base of turkey carcass soup is the broth, made by simmering the turkey bones, skin, and any leftover meat with vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery. The bones release their flavors as they cook, creating a rich and savory stock. Aromatics such as garlic, thyme, and bay leaves add complexity to the broth, and a touch of salt and pepper brings it all together. Depending on your preference, you can add herbs like rosemary or sage to infuse additional seasonal flavors.
Once the broth has simmered for a few hours, straining it removes any solids, leaving a flavorful liquid base. At this point, you can add diced vegetables like potatoes, corn, or peas, and even some small pasta or rice for extra heartiness. For added flavor, some people like to toss in a splash of white wine or a drizzle of soy sauce, giving the soup an extra layer of richness.
Shredded turkey meat, pulled from the bones, is added back into the soup to make it even more filling. The result is a wonderfully balanced bowl of soup, where the savory broth combines with tender turkey and vegetables for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for chilly days.
Turkey carcass soup is not only a great way to extend the life of your holiday turkey, but it also offers a warm, comforting dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s easy to make, freezes well, and provides a delicious, homemade meal that’s perfect for using up leftovers without wasting anything.
Ingredients
- 1 leftover turkey carcass from a roasted turkey
- 10 cups water
- 3 carrots chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place the turkey carcass in a large pot and cover with 10 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1.5 hours. Skim off any foam or fat that rises to the surface.
- Remove the carcass and let it cool. Once cool enough to handle, pick off any remaining turkey meat and set it aside.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any debris.
- Return the broth to the pot and add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, and rosemary.
- Simmer for an additional 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the picked turkey meat back to the soup and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot and enjoy your Turkey Carcass Soup.
Nutrition
I tried this recipe but it didn’t turn out right. The broth was kind of bland. Maybe I forgot the thyme? Or was it rosemary? I dunno, but I’m disappointed.
Skeptical about using a carcass for soup, but my grandma always said waste not, want not. Surprisingly tasty! Who knew?!
This soup is so comforting! I didn’t know what to do with the leftover carcass, but now I’m a believer! Thanks for the recipe! ❤️
Why do you have to boil it for 1.5 hours? Seems excessive. Can’t just throw it all in and hope for the best?
I dunno about using a carcass, seems kinda gross to me. I’d just stick with fresh turkey.
I get what you mean, but using the carcass is actually a good way to make a rich broth! You might change your mind once you try it.
This soup was amazing! I never thought leftover turkey could taste so good. Will definitely make it again!
Can you just use chicken instead of turkey? I didn’t have a carcass and I really wanted soup.
Meh, not what I expected. I mean, it’s just boiled turkey bones, right? Didn’t taste like much.
Eh, it was okay. Just tasted like water with some veggies. I expected more flavor…but maybe I did it wrong?
Sounds gross, not gonna lie. Who eats soup made from a carcass? 😂
Like, how do you get all the meat off the carcass? I ended up just throwing it away. Not my thing.
This was soooo filling! I just kept eating until I was stuffed. 10/10, will make again.
This soup is a lifesaver! I hate wasting food and this recipe uses the carcass perfectly. It’s so comforting.
My grandma used to make something similar but she put in more spices. This was kinda bland. Sorry!
I didn’t have thyme or rosemary, so I just put in some oregano. Still turned out good! #cookinghack.
Oregano is a great substitute! Glad to hear it turned out good for you. 😊
YO! This soup is bomb. I added some noodles and it was a hit with the kids. Thanks for the idea!
Yuck. I don’t know why you’d make soup from a carcass. Seems gross to me.
This soup is so good! I never knew you could make something delicious from a carcass. Perfect for leftover turkey!
Yummy! I added some noodles and it was great. A nice way to use up leftovers after Thanksgiving!
Sounds delish! I’ll try adding noodles next time too. Great idea!
Instructions were kinda confusing. I ended up boiling it for too long and lost some flavor. Not bad overall.
I know what you mean! I think the simmering time can be tricky. Next time, just keep an eye on it. Hope it still tasted good!
This soup was so good! I added some noodles just to make it heartier. Thanks for the great recipe!
Too salty for my taste! Next time I will put less salt n pepper. Other than that, good!
Eh, not my favorite. I thought it would be more flavorful… Maybe I did something wrong.
Not flavorful?! That’s surprising! Soup is all about the broth, I thought this was good. Maybe you didn’t simmer it long enough?
I thought it had plenty of flavor! Maybe try adding some more herbs or a splash of lemon juice next time? Gives it a nice kick!
Yum! Super cozy and warm, perfect for winter nights. 🤤
Great easy recipe! I added more garlic because I love it. Will definitely make this again.
I made this with a ham bone instead, and it turned out great! Can you use any type of bones for this?
Carcasses ain’t for soup! My mom used to say eat fresh meat only. Not for my family.
Used leftover turkey bones from Thanksgiving. My husband loved it, can’t believe how easy it was!
I was skeptical at first about using the carcass, but wow, what a flavor! Just remember to clean it well!